It was a gathering if African Tourism Heavyweights in Kampala at the Opening Ceremony of The Pearl Of Africa Tourism Expo in Kampala Sheraton on Friday.
It was the Launching of the East African Tourism Portal, it’s TV commercial and Documentary.
The Event offered the Two African Candidates for the UNWTO Secretary General position to Jointly address Africa on what they plan to achieve in Madrid.
In answer to a Question by Mr. Ikechi Uko from TeamAfrica about splitting Africa’s vote Candidate Alain St.Ange from Seychelles promised Africa that his chances of winning are higher as the votes are global and not only from Africa and that every region has at least one Candidate so one is likely to win at the First round.
He said that African Solidarity should be shown at the second round. He wants Africa to Support any African Candidate that makes it to the Second Round. He promised that using this Tactics Africa will clinch the Position.
In a position made on behalf of Candidate Dr. Walther Mzembi of Zimbabwe by the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Zimbabwe Hon. Anastacia Ndlovu She told the Audience that Dr. Marino is Africa’s Man to the World. Africa through the AU has chosen Dr. Mzembi as it’s official Candidate for the Position and every African should support the African Candidate.
Series of Meetings were held by the Candidates and TeamAfrica members on Harmonizing positions for Africa.
The launching of the Tourism Portal is a milestone for East Africa. According to a report in the New Times of Rwanda.
“In an effort to market the region as single tourism destination, the three Northern Corridor integration project partner states of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda yesterday launched the East African Tourism portal.
“The launch of the portal as well as the joint tourism promotional video was held during the ongoing annual Pearl of Africa Tourism expo in Kampala, Uganda.
“Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and RwandAir are among seven Rwandan companies that are exhibiting at the expo.
“The three-day event was opened yesterday by Uganda’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for EAC, Kirunda Kivenjinja, who called on partner states to speed up efforts to market the region as a single tourism destination.
“Destination East Africa is a reality. All we need is just to actualise it and Rwanda is committed to support this effort,” said Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage.
The portal is an online platform that is expected to boost tourism in the three East African countries.
The Pearl of Africa expo is an annual tourism event in the East African region organised by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and brings together travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, destination managers and other service providers along the tourism value chain.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Tourism Board, Stephen Asiimwe, said the expo provides a unique opportunity for the tourism business operators to meet new clients, network, and discuss business.”
According to EATP “The portal is a tourism information repository, targeting 2,000 regional tour operators and 10,000 users, with an aim of promoting multi-country packages. It opens a window to regional stakeholders to directly market to domestic, regional and international visitors, while cementing the vision of Destination East Africa.
On the other hand, the advertisement and documentary are 45-seconds and 4-minute programmes respectively, aimed at raising awareness, on single tourist visa and use of interstate passes and IDS, among East Africans.
It is worth noting that this is the first time that the three governments have committed and successfully executed joint promotional initiatives, with a major focus on regional and domestic tourism. These initiatives are a game-changer and I am optimistic they will cement our belief in regional tourism and set the stage for further innovative endervours.”
